It’s no question that our society today values appearances. Many people today love to look good and they want to be seen with people who look good.

Some men and women even consider some people to be ‘beneath them’ or ‘not in their league’ because of their appearance.

Some people expect their friends, associates and even their pastor to have a certain appearance or status.

Be honest with yourself. How receptive are you to people who look less attractive or not groomed as well?

The bible let’s us know that Jesus wasn’t what was considered that times’ standard of ‘good looking’.

Isaiah 53:2  (NKJV)

² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no ^[a]form or ^[b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no ^[c]beauty that we…

The other day as my wife and I were getting ready for work, she asked me to get her clothes out of the dryer for her. We were both getting ready, but I stopped what I was doing and did it. The simplest gestures can be  the most powerful, especially when both husband and wife are working.

Do something simple every day to make life easier for one another. Bring him a cool beverage. Watch something that she wants to watch…with her. Iron his clothes for him. Go shopping with her.

These four gestures can make your marriage better. Nothing deep or romantic here, but doing it will make romance come easier.

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HELP EACH OTHER OFTEN…

DO WHAT COMES EASY…

HONESTLY WORK ON WHAT’S DIFFICULT FOR YOU…

BE PATIENT WITH WHAT’S DIFFICULT FOR ONE ANOTHER…

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Following these simple tips will make each day better, and difficult days more bearable.

 1 Peter…

We have all done this. The one and only interaction that you had with someone was a bad one. You left a bad impression. Someone caught you on your worst behavior. Someone caught you on your worst day. Someone caught you in the heat of your anger and frustration. You were rude. You were mean. You were short. You were arrogant. You were proud. You were jealous. You were horny. You were apathetic. You were unholy. You were in your flesh.

It was the one and only time he, she or they interacted with you on a personal level, and you were at your worst behavior.

You were out of your character, but they didn’t know that. It was a lapse in your character, but they were left thinking…that’s just how you are.

Even though we are commanded to love one another, you gave them a good reason to not…

How many times have you said this, “I’m bored!”? How many times have you heard your kids say, “There’s nothing to do!”?

We live in a society with so many opportunities for entertainment and engagement that we can find ourselves in ‘paralysis by analysis’.

We expect our jobs to be entertaining. Our education to be entertaining, and even our worship to be entertaining.

Now, don’t get me a wrong. I’m by no means condemning being entertained. But, we do need to manage our expectations.

People also love ‘being busy’. We value hard work to the point that some people consider you a slacker if you ONLY want to work ‘9 to 5’…no over time. Since when did doing a hard days work and going home at a decent time become lazy?

Well, I’m saying all that to say this…

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The older I get, the more I appreciate moments of having…

INFIDELITY…It’s the universal act of betrayal that many, if not most, find it difficult to come back from.

No matter what country, religion or culture, infidelity marks the end of many relationships. It’s viewed as the ultimate proof that love is lost.

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However, the ability to come back from infidelity may be the ultimate proof of real love.

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How can I say that?

Because marriage is the analogy that God uses throughout the bible, not only to describe His relationship with Israel in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Joel, Isaiah and Hosea, but also Christ’s (who represents the invisible God bodily) relationship with His church in Colossians,  Ephesians and Revelations. All of the aforementioned, Old Testament books are stories of Israel continually betraying God, only to have Him continually forgive them and take them back.

Israel loved God… but they continued to choose other God’s over Him.

Israel loved God… but…

God uses imperfect people to carry out His perfect will. That being said, we know that the church is made up of those imperfect people. It’s unavoidable that the church has historically made some mistakes. What’s important is that we continue to learn from those mistakes…and change.

I feel that one of the most damaging mistakes that’s been made in many churches is about GIVING. I’m not talking about HOW MUCH. I’m talking about WHY?

Too many people have been taught to GIVE SELFISHLY. Too many people have been taught and are being taught to approach God and give carnally. The ‘prosperity’ movement has reduced giving to a selfless act, based on our culture of greed, as a ‘tool’ to get what you want out of life from God. This allows the idolatry (Colossians 3:5) of worshiping oneself to pervert faith. They believe God can do it, but the motivation…

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How many times have you heard someone say something like this, “In this day and time, you have to have…

A cell phone…

Internet access…

A vehicle…

A nice suit…

Electricity…

Indoor plumbing…

Soap…?”

God has blessed many of us to live in an abundant society. If
we aren’t careful, we can begin to look at many of our luxuries as necessities.

The age of children
with smart devices is getting younger and younger because many parents say, “We
have to be able to get in touch with them”.

All across America people wake up in the morning and take
for granted the blessing of being able to do the first thing we have to do when
we all get up…use the bathroom.

Years ago, no one had indoor plumbing. Even the wealthy had
an ‘out house’. Then, with the innovation of indoor plumbing it was a blessing
for the…

Having you ever noticed a child throwing a temper tantrum when he or she doesn’t get something that they want? This is a natural reaction that must be overcome as the child matures. The reaction is natural…innate…the child was born with it.

As you know, the debate continues as to whether people are born gay, or is it a choice. The purpose of this article isn’t to debate that question, but to address this fact…

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The truth is that we are all born with innate desires, feelings and proclivities that we did not ask for.

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Many Christians reason to excuse some behaviors by saying, “I or they was or were born this way”.

This doesn’t mean that God made a mistake because the scripture clearly reminds us that we were all born in sin…

Psalm 51:5 (NKJV)

 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother…

1 Kings 11:1-2 (NKJV)

But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— ² from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.

Anyone who reads the bible knows that King Solomon is recognized as the wisest man who every lived. They also know that he loved women and had many wives and concubines. So, it very be easily concluded that Solomon’s sex drive and love for women was a weakness. He allowed the women he loved to compromise his devotion to God – the wisest man who ever lived.

King Solomon’s wisdom was his greatest strength. His sex drive was his greatest weakness. And, both of…

Consider this…

You wake up, reach over and kiss your spouse. You then you turn on the television to check the weather and traffic. You go into the kitchen and grab a bite to eat and promptly brush, floss and take a shower so you can get out the door and be on time for work.

What’s wrong with this morning scenario?

You acknowledged your spouse…

You acknowledged the weather…

You acknowledged the traffic…

You acknowledged your hunger…

You acknowledged your hygiene (even your ‘low’giene:-)…

You acknowledged your job…

But did you acknowledge the One who made everything else you acknowledged possible?

Did you acknowledge God? Did you tell Him good morning? Did you tell Him thanks for protecting you and your family, while you were unconscious all night? Did you thank Him for waking you up? Did you thank Him for brand new mercies..

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)

I’ve found the most intimate refreshing place to pray at my home. I love sitting in my chair on my front porch and enjoying quality time with God in prayer. When I’m out there, it’s like it’s just Him and me. Yes I pray everywhere. But, that place is special.

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And yes, I said sitting.

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You see, it’s good to get on your knees in submission to God, but contrary to what many may have been taught it’s not mandatory. That is not the exclusively acceptable prayer posture.

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Your proper prayer posture isn’t the position of your body, but of your heart and spirit…

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To a humble spirit… it’s about humility.

Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise

1- On Your Knees

Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV)

For this reason I bow my knees to…